Global_Village

An individual’s experiences within the global village can exaggerate aspects of our everyday life through the media. This leads to a reshaping of personal identity due to world-wide media linkages. Two texts which show this are Nick Enright’s A Man with Five Children and The Truman Show by Peter Weir. In A Man with Five Children, Enright employs a variety of techniques to show how the media can exaggerate aspects of our lives and thus reshape identities. Using film, projected image and sound as well as different acting styles, Enright has the opportunity to play with ideas to full sensorial effect. A Man with Five Children takes place during a time when society was growing and changing. People were excited about the future. Act one raises questions and emotions as the journey of the document unfolds. This act is set between 1972 and 1990. In the early 70’s it was certainly a more rarefied experience to be the subject of a documentary. What is the effect of the presence of the film maker' Does Gerry’s presence alter the so-called reality of the documentary' Does Gerry show actual facts of just ratings winners' After the interval, the script becomes rather murkier, introducing elements of melodrama and even soap opera into the mix. It presents unpredictable outcomes. A Man with Five Children makes a compelling observation of the times leading up to the current cultural dominance of reality television. It is a perfect example of the cracks in the wall between observation and influence. This is shown through Gerry’s relationships with both Cam and Susannah. Gerry uses the different characters of the five children to represent Australia themselves. Peter Weir’s film The Truman show visually communicates his concerns about the power of the media and the impact it has on society and individuals, through the use of many techniques the composer attempts to engage and inform their audience about how through its manipulations the media affects society and individuals. The Truman show is about how Truman Burbank’s life is being manipulated and is a television reality show. In the opening sequence the main characters in Truman’s life are presented, giving thoughts about what the Truman show means to them. In the introduction, Truman’s wife in the show, his best friend Marlon and Christof the shows director are introduced. Weir uses visual manipulation to show the flow of power within the film. Christof is introduced in a close up shot, with him in centre to show that he is almost God-like. The name itself is symbolic of Christ (of Christ), showing the relationship between god and man. The round, circular and constrictive shot that appears to come from the barrel of a gun is used increasingly towards the end of the film to symbolise that Truman’s world is closing in around him. The message about the extent that advertisers will go to for products placement is present throughout the film. Truman is constantly being shoved against billboards and his wife is always ranting on about the new “Chef’s Pal” and what it can do, or “Moco-cocoa” from the slopes of Peruvian mountains. His friend Marlon always buys the same six pack beer. This use of subliminal advertising is an example of the power and abuse of power of television networks. The scene where Truman is sent to catch the boat is a very powerful scene showing how Truman’s identity is reshaped by Christoff. It shows a sinister image of the extent of the TV studio’s manipulation of Truman’s emotions and psychological well-being. They have programmed him to be terrified of water. They have caused him incredible grief, pain, anguish and guilt by making him responsible for his father’s death. This was done to keep him on the island and to provide a sensational dramatic experience for the audience. The boat becomes an image of Truman’s subconscious mind, hence the shot from above of a dark, submerged boat. Creepy music is played to emphasise this. This film shows how reality TV takes over people’s lives. Throughout the film, you see many eager Truman Show watchers. Two old ladies who have watched the show most of their lives. Two policemen who seem to neglect their duties of protecting the community. A bar packed full of people and its staff. A man in a bath tub who never seems to leave it. These people represent the public today who seem to be obsessed with programmes such as Big Brother. Nowadays, adverts appear reminding you how long it is until it begins. Some people can’t stop talking about it until at least two weeks after it finishes. It even gets onto the newspaper headlines. It claims to be ‘reality’ TV show when all it is a bunch of people who are acting in order to make themselves look good on television. The most important message behind the film is how the media has the power to control almost every aspect of our lives so easily, and how so many people can be brainwashed into believing that something is so much more important than it really is. With a whole generation of brainwashed public, the media and press would certainly exploit the power of the people. An individual’s experiences within the global village can exaggerate aspects of our everyday life through the media. This leads to a reshaping of personal identity due to world-wide media linkages. This is shown in the two texts above, Nick Enright’s A Man with Five Children and The Truman Show by Peter Weir.